The Computing Research Association

^{∫ archives ∫}A. Nico Habermann Award

CRA makes this award, usually annually, to a person who has made outstanding contributions aimed at increasing the numbers and/or successes of underrepresented groups in the computing research community. This award recognizes work in areas of government affairs, educational programs, professional societies, public awareness, and leadership that has a major impact on advancing these groups in the computing research community. Recognized contributions can be focused directly at the research level or at its immediate precursors, namely students at the undergraduate or graduate levels.

¹⁹⁹⁴Richard A. Tapia

1994 Habermann Award Awardee Noah Harding Professor of Mathematical Sciences at Rice University in Houston

“I consider it a great honor to be selected for this award. It is particularly meaningful to me, since I had the opportunity to know and respect Nico Habermann.” It added a very warm touch to the moment to have the award presented by Marta Habermann (his wife). This made it very real.” - Richard Tapia

Tapia is a Noah Harding Professor of Mathematical Sciences at Rice University in Houston. He played a key role in increasing the percentage of Rice undergraduates from underrepresented groups from less than 5% to more than 15%. As the Education And Human Resources Director for the Center for Research on Parallel Computation—a National Science Foundation Science and Technology Center—he has designed an education program that has put the center at the forefront of minority recruiting and participation.

“Richard Tapia has worked tirelessly and successfully to encourage and assist minority students in following careers in the computing field,” said Fred W. Weingarten, CRA’s Executive Director. “He embodies the values and spirit recognized by the A. Nico Habermann Award, and he is a most appropriate first recipient.”